The Ride - Episode 1
by Chris Marie Green
My ride is about to pick me up—
Let’s hope I don’t spend the next three hours with a nightmare driver 👹
Lol, I can’t believe you’re letting a rando drive you all the way home.
Well, he’s not a complete rando! He does go to our school.
Lots of people hitch rides from other students on campus.
Are you sure you can’t stay here for the weekend?
You know I would if I could.
But my stepdad is throwing a big surprise party for my mom’s fortieth birthday…
So I can’t miss it.
Just remember you can call me ANY TIME to vent about your broken heart.
Careful — I might take you up on that offer, Mandy.
I know Vincent and I met only a couple weeks ago, but what we had was intense…
And I fell for him way too fast and hard.
I can’t believe how much I’m hurting.
Just remember that you deserve someone better than a guy who cheats on you, okay?
Stay strong!
I’ll try 🤗
Amanda hears the roar of an engine and looks up to find a car coming her way.
Yikes — talk about a bucket of bolts!
It’s got white racing stripes and an old blue paint job…
But the engine purrs after the driver stops the vehicle.
Gotta go, Peyton.
My carriage awaits.
The driver rolls down his window…
Revealing a scruffy guy with a tilted grin and dark eyes.
Amanda?
Whoa — did this order come with a side of cute?
Amanda nods in response, her pulse jittering as she smooths down her pristine skirt.
He gets out of the car, grabs her bag, and puts it into the empty backseat.
He holds out his hand for a shake.
I’m Jake.
She nods, remembering his name.
That’s right! I’m Amanda.
As she slips her hand into his, electricity zaps her.
He holds her hand for another heartbeat…
But then she backs away and clears her throat.
Thanks for driving me home.
No problem. You’re on my way.
She walks toward the passenger’s side, but Jake beats her there and holds the door open.
As she gets in, he unleashes a smile and…WOWZA.
Somehow she remains cool.
After he sits in the driver’s seat, he peels out of the parking lot.
Amanda white-knuckles the seat.
So you’re headed home for a quick weekend?
Mm-hmm.
Jake eases off the gas with an apologetic shrug.
Amanda relaxes.
It’s my mom’s birthday tomorrow and my car puttered out.
My stepdad can drive me back, but he’s too busy setting up for the party now.
Jake nods, nonchalantly draping his hand over the steering wheel.
So HOT.
Is this a vintage car?
Yup. It might look like something a junkyard spit up, but it’s got power where it counts.
And it gets me home whenever I need to be there.
So why are YOU going home?
I’m on an important errand.
I’ve got a friend who’s suffering from a nasty breakup…
And there’s something at home I want to get for him—
Something to cheer him up.
Aww.
This guy cares for his heartbroken friend just as much as Amanda cares for Peyton.
What are you getting him?
A baseball signed by Alex Rodriguez.
My buddy’s a big Yankees fan, so this will put a smile back on his face.
It’ll be worth losing that ball.
Wow. Isn’t it valuable?
Not as valuable as my friend’s happiness.
I’d do anything for him.
I know what you mean. I’d do anything for MY bestie too.
Jake sends her another grin.
Amanda holds back a tingly sigh.
There must be a breakup epidemic hitting campus or something…
My best friend is going through a really rough one too.
Her ex cheated on her at a party last week.
Naturally, he wouldn’t admit any fault when he got caught.
But people saw him leaving with an old girlfriend who was drunk and ALL over him.
Jake’s grin disappears.
What’s your friend’s name?
Peyton.
He frowns.
Amanda gets a bad feeling.
It just so happens that I’ve met Peyton…
Because her ex is MY best friend.
Oh God.
You’re THAT Jake — Vincent’s buddy?
Yup, and you’re obviously THAT Mandy — Peyton’s enabler.
Excuse me. Enabler?!
Amanda faces the windshield, her dander up for her bestie.
Great.
Out of all the Jakes on campus, THIS had to be the one to give her a ride…
And now she’s stuck in a speeding tin can with him.
Maybe, as Peyton’s confidant…
You can enlighten me as to why she believes these witnesses over her own boyfriend?
You tell me. Why WOULDN’T Vincent lie when he got caught double-dipping with his ex?
A muscle ticks in Jake’s cheek.
I was there, too, you know. He wasn’t cheating.
His ex was so drunk that she needed a cab.
So he called one for her and made sure she got home okay.
He was just being a good guy.
Amanda lifts an eyebrow.
He would NEVER be tempted by his ex?
No.
But I think there’s an even bigger issue between our friends.
What?
Even though I only met Peyton one time, she’s obviously not very trusting.
Amanda grits her teeth.
Is it too late to ask Jake to turn around and get her back to campus?
Amanda would seriously consider it if it wasn’t her mom’s big birthday.
She sighs.
Jake sighs too.
Well, it’s clear that our friends are incapable of having a rational conversation with each other.
But does that mean WE have to be the same way?
Amanda bites her lip.
If he knew about Amanda’s family life, he probably wouldn’t say that.
Vincent’s a good guy — the best guy I know.
And it sounds like he and Peyton should try to work their issues out.
I just want him to be happy again.
He’s really crazy about her.
Jake’s true-blue belief in his friend breaks Amanda down a little more.
Peyton’s the best person *I* know.
She fell really fast for Vincent, even though she’s been hurt badly in the past.
That’s why she pulled back into this shell—
And that’s why it’s my responsibility as her best friend to protect her heart.
So why aren’t we protecting them by UN-breaking their hearts?
They go silent again.
The tires hum over the asphalt.
Amanda has to admit that she’s been so protective because…
Well, Peyton isn’t the only one who lacks trust.
And Jake seems so genuine that Amanda can’t help thinking she should take a chance here…
At least for Peyton’s sake.
She exhales.
Some help *I* am.
I left Peyton on campus to eat a tub of ice cream and watch rom coms.
Vincent’s been eating chips and watching baseball games nonstop.
You know, in chick flicks, things turn out okay in the end—
But that’s because it’s usually the best friends’ jobs to help out with a happy ending for the main couple.
Then maybe we should do what best friends do…
As the miles go by, they talk about why Vincent and Peyton are actually good for each other…
But they also acknowledge the challenges they might have.
Most of all, Jake and Amanda talk about how their friends can work toward a happy ending.
Fifty miles later, Amanda calls Peyton.
When they stop for lunch, Jake calls Vincent.
Then they resume their ride.
Hell, I almost feel like we’re the opposite of divorce attorneys—
We mend relationships instead of helping to pull them apart.
Something stings in Amanda’s chest.
She looks down at her lap.
Did I say something wrong?
No. It’s just that my parents divorced a few years ago.
Ouch.
That’s not even the worst part…
My dad actually ran off with his lawyer.
He hasn’t been around since then.
I’m sorry to hear that, Mandy.
She smiles slightly at the nickname.
It sounds good coming from him…
Somehow comfortable and right.
Don’t worry. Mom found a new man who’s just as wonderful as she is.
She’s happy now.
So is that why you were fighting so hard for Peyton during this breakup?
Because you were on Team Mom during and after the divorce?
Wow. You’re the only person who’s ever caught on to that.
Next you’ll tell me that I avoid pain by concentrating on what’s happening with my friends.
Instead of letting things happen to me.
She gives him a long look, taking in his carefree hair, his strong profile, his muscled arms.
Her chest warms, and when he catches her watching him, heat spreads down to her tummy.
Mandy…
Who says relationships have to be painful?
They pass the signpost for her town and Amanda’s heart sinks.
The ride is almost over.
Oddly enough, she wishes this trip were just beginning.
Her phone dings with a text, and she focuses on the screen.
It’s Peyton…
She’s gonna meet up with Vincent to talk.
Jake smiles as they stop at a light.
As the engine idles, Amanda smooths down her skirt.
She feels Jake watching her, and when she glances at him, her pulse jumps.
Well…we’ve spent the day being the supporting players in Vincent and Peyton’s chick flick.
So tell me, Mandy…
In those movies, do the best friends ever get their OWN story?
Her heart pounds.
Should she take the leap?
She takes another glance at Jake
Yes, sometimes they do.
My…favorite movies are the ones where the best friends go for it in the end.
He slips his hand over hers, and she sucks in a breath.
His gaze is intense as he rubs his thumb over her skin.
Then what would you say to starting that story with me?
As the light turns green, Amanda’s pulse goes wild.
She smiles and laces her fingers with his.
I’d say we should go for another ride.
App